A new survey reveals that most Americans are against cruel practices that happen regularly behind the doors of factory farms.
The survey conducted by Faunalytics found that the following percentages of Americans oppose these “standard” factory farming practices:
You may wonder why these practices are used, given their widespread opposition. Well, what makes these practices an allowable industry standard is that they’re regularly used on factory farms, not that consumers accept them—and Faunalytics points out that this contradiction could call some of these practices into question.
“In at least 37 states, anti-cruelty laws include exemptions for ‘commonly accepted’ animal agriculture practices. However, some pieces of legislation don’t specify whether ‘commonly accepted’ refers to industry standards or the views of the general public,” notes Faunalytics. “This creates a legal gray area: if a practice that’s common within the industry is found to be unacceptable by the broader public, it could lose its exemption and therefore be considered a violation of anti-cruelty laws—potentially making the practice illegal.”
This new survey is far from the first time the public has expressed opposition to the abuses of industrial animal agriculture. In fact, in November 2017, 49% of Americans surveyed by the Sentience Institute even said they support a ban on factory farming.
However, the latest findings from Faunalytics also shed new light on practices that animal agribusiness has fought to continue, despite public opposition.
Abigail Messier/Open Wing Alliance/We Animals
The least accepted practices in the Faunlytics survey involved the severe confinement of farm animals—crowding hens used for eggs into metal battery cages (84.9% opposed) and confining pigs to crates so small they can’t turn around (83.9% opposed).
California’s Proposition 12, passed in 2018 with overwhelming support from voters, bans such confinement (as well as keeping calves in crates) and prohibits products made using these cruel practices from being sold in the state of California.
For years, animal agriculture interests have challenged Prop 12 in the courts and continue to do so. In response, groups such as Farm Sanctuary work hard to protect this landmark legislation and the will of the people. In the most recent victory for Prop 12, the Supreme Court of the United States declined to hear a challenge by the Iowa Pork Producers Association.
You can join us in defending the broadly supported Prop 12 and other crucial farm animal protection laws today!
Once again, hard-won humane laws are at risk, and we need your help. This time, agribusiness is pushing the “Save Our Bacon Act,” which would invalidate voter-supported laws, like Proposition 12. Use our handy form to join Farm Sanctuary and more than 170 advocates, farmers, legal experts, and faith leaders in opposing this dangerous industry-backed legislation that could prevent states from addressing the harms of factory farming.
